Drew Westen's Books

The Political Brain

The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation

By: Drew Westen

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The Political Brain

The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation

By: Drew Westen

The Political Brain is a groundbreaking investigation into the role of emotion in determining the political life of the nation. For two decades Drew Westen, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Emory University, has explored a theory of the mind that differs substantially from the more "dispassionate" notions held by most cognitive psychologists, political scientists, and economists -- and Democratic campaign strategists. The idea of the mind as a cool calculator that makes decisions by weighing the evidence bears no relation to how the brain actually works. When political candidates assume voters dispassionately make decisions based on "the issues," they lose. That's why only one Democrat has been re-elected to the presidency since Franklin Roosevelt -- and only one Republican has failed in that quest. In politics, when reason and emotion collide, emotion invariably wins. Elections are decided in the marketplace of emotions, a marketplace filled with values, images, analogies, moral sentiments, and moving oratory, in which logic plays only a supporting role. Westen shows, through a whistle-stop journey through the evolution of the passionate brain and a bravura tour through fifty years of American presidential and national elections, why campaigns succeed and fail. The evidence is overwhelming that three things determine how people vote, in this order: their feelings toward the parties and their principles, their feelings toward the candidates, and, if they haven't decided by then, their feelings toward the candidates' policy positions. Westen turns conventional political analyses on their head, suggesting that the question for Democratic politics isn't so much about moving to the right or the left but about moving the electorate. He shows how it can be done through examples of what candidates have said -- or could have said -- in debates, speeches, and ads. Westen's discoveries could utterly transform electoral arithmetic, showing how a different view of the mind and brain leads to a different way of talking with voters about issues that have tied the tongues of Democrats for much of forty years -- such as abortion, guns, taxes, and race. You can't change the structure of the brain. But you can change the way you appeal to it. And here's how

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497

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PublicAffairs

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ISBN 10

1586485997

ISBN 13

9781586485993

The Political Brain

The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation

By: Drew Westen

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The Political Brain

The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation

By: Drew Westen

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Page Count

497

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PublicAffairs

Published Date

ISBN 10

1586485997

ISBN 13

9781586485993

Self and Society

Narcissism, Collectivism, and the Development of Morals

By: Drew Westen

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Self and Society

Narcissism, Collectivism, and the Development of Morals

By: Drew Westen

This 1985 book studies the relation between the individual and collective processes, which is central to the social sciences.

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Page Count

460

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0521317703

ISBN 13

9780521317702

Buddhist and Christian?

An Exploration of Dual Belonging

By: Rose Drew

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Buddhist and Christian?

An Exploration of Dual Belonging

By: Rose Drew

This is a detailed exploration of Buddhist Christian dual belonging, engaging - from both Buddhist and Christian perspectives - the questions that arise, and drawing on extensive interviews with well-known individuals in the vanguard of this important and growing phenomenon. The issue is pressing insofar the last century has witnessed a gradual but profound transformation of the West's religious landscape. In today's context of diversity, people are often influenced by more than one religion. Multireligious identities are consequently on the rise. At one end of the spectrum are those who identify themselves as fully belonging to more than one tradition. One of the most prevalent combinations is Christianity and Buddhism This book addresses central and fundamental questions. How is it possible to be authentically Buddhist and authentically Christian when, for example, God is central to Christianity yet absent from Buddhism; when Christians have faith in Jesus Christ while Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha; when Christians hope for heaven and Buddhists hope for nirvana; and when Buddhists and Christians engage in different practices? Are those who identify themselves as belonging to both traditions profoundly irrational, religiously schizophrenic, or perhaps just spiritually superficial? Or is it possible somehow to reconcile the thought and practice of Buddhism and Christianity in such a way that one can be deeply committed to both? And if it is possible, will the influence of Buddhist Christians on each of these traditions be something to be regretted or celebrated?"--

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Page Count

289

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

113667327X

ISBN 13

9781136673276

Psychology, Study Guide

Mind, Brain, & Culture

By: Drew Westen

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Psychology, Study Guide

Mind, Brain, & Culture

By: Drew Westen

High level introductory psychology book with an attention to both the biological basis of psychology and the role of culture in shaping basic biological processes. Theories are provided in a conceptual framework that captures the excitement and tensions of the field. The book takes a micro to macro focus - from biology and neuroscience to culture. It demonstrates the integration between thoughts, feelings, motivations, social behavior, etc. Revised to include up-to-date research and a more balanced coverage with four new perspectives - psychodynamics, behavioral, cognitive, and evolutionary - introduced in depth to allow readers to begin conceptualizing psychological data.

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Page Count

372

Publisher

Wiley

Published Date

ISBN 10

0471322016

ISBN 13

9780471322016

Self and Society

Narcissism, Collectivism, and the Development of Morals

By: Drew Westen

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Self and Society

Narcissism, Collectivism, and the Development of Morals

By: Drew Westen

This 1985 book studies the relation between the individual and collective processes, which is central to the social sciences.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

460

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0521317703

ISBN 13

9780521317702

Book's by Drew Westen

The Political Brain

The Political Brain

The Political Brain

The Political Brain

Self and Society

Self and Society

Buddhist and Christian?

Buddhist and Christian?

Psychology, Study Guide

Psychology, Study Guide

Self and Society

Self and Society

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